Little Known Facts About Rooofing contractor austin.



The roof on your home or business is the first line of defense when it comes to protecting your real estate property investment! Roofs are generally the most expensive single item that property owners will replace. When it's time to have a new roofing system installed, it is often difficult to know which roofer to hire for the job! Homeowners should be skeptical of hiring their roofer based on price alone. When hiring a roofer, you generally will get exactly what you pay for! Because they provided the lowest bid may result in a poor quality roof that may leak and diminish the curb appeal of your home, hiring a roofer solely.

Hiring a roofer can be confusing, but property owners can be confident that they are hiring the absolute best roofer for their specific roofing needs by following a few important steps.

ROOFERS WITH EXPERIENCE IN YOUR SPECIFIC TYPE OF ROOFING SYSTEM

There are numerous roofing contractors in your area. Not all roofing contractors are experienced in your specific type of roofing system. Residential roofers should be certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO, and Atlas Roofing. A commercial roof contractor should be skilled in all types of flat roofing and certified with various commercial roofing manufacturers such as Carlisle Syntec, Sika Sarnafil, GAF, Versico, and MuleHide. If they have experience in installing the exact type of roof that you want installed, ask the roofing contractor you are considering. Be specific in addressing this question. If you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof. Roofing systems can be very different in their preparation and installation requirements. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof. You want to hire a roofer with hands on experience in installing the specific type of roofing system that you want installed on your home or business!

KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ROOFING CONSTRUCTION

Sadly, not all roofing companies are knowledgeable in roofing construction. In today's market, the roofing industry can be lucrative and attracts individuals who are savvy at marketing and interested in owning a profitable business but they are not necessarily knowledgeable in roofing construction. Be specific when hiring a roofing company and ask questions like:

Are they up to date on current codes and building requirements
Are they certified with the roofing manufacturer for your specific roof
Have they inspected your current ventilation system
Did they discuss ventilation options or improvements
Have they inspected your roof decking
Did they advise you of potential rotten wood that may not be visible
Do you have space decking that will need to be re-decked
Will they be using actual starter strip and ridge cap
Do they replace all pipe jacks and roof accessories
Will they be removing the existing shingles and starting with a clean roof deck
ARE THEY MEMBERS OF THE BBB WITH A SOLID RATING

Be sure and contact the Better Business Bureau and ensure that the roofing contractor has an A+ rating! It is crucial to work with a roofer who is committed to customer service and treating customers fairly! If the roofer you are considering has an A+ rating with the BBB you can be confident that they will work hard to install an excellent quality roof that meets or exceeds your expectations.

CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE AND PORTFOLIO

Today's roofing contractors are very aware that the world has gone digital and consumers want to see examples of their work online! If they have a website and take the time to check out their credentials, ask! A professional website will give you detailed information on the many services and qualifications that the roofer holds as well as a portfolio that will show you various examples of their work! A roofer who doesn't have a website in today's roofing industry market is not a top roofer in your area!

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS AND REFERRALS

Look online for customer reviews through sites like Google and Yelp! If a customer takes the time to post a review then you can be assured that the roofer you are considering will provide you with a quality roofing system! Go to their website and see if they have a customer testimonial section! Any reputable roofer will have an area of their website dedicated to customer reviews. Last but not least, you can always ask them for a list of past customers who you may contact for a referral. If you speak with a roofer who can not provide you with a list of customer referrals and does not have multiple positive reviews posted online, our advice would be to run and find a more reputable and qualified roofing company!

NEVER PAY UPFRONT FOR A ROOF INSTALLATION

Every year we hear sad stories of individuals who have been conned by individuals posing as a local roofing contractor in their area. Sometimes these cons actually were roofers who ran and took the money! If your roof is being replaced as part of an insurance claim we never collect any money until the roof is actually installed. You should have a very nominal down payment that must be made in order to secure the contract if your roof is being replaced as a cash estimate. Payment is never given until the roof is installed and you are a happy customer!

FREE ROOF INSPECTIONS AND ESTIMATES

A professional roofing contractor will happily provide you with a free roof inspection and make a professional recommendation on the best way to address your specific roofing needs. If your roof can be repaired and still provide you the protection your building needs, a reputable roofing company will always tell you that! But if a full roof replacement is in order, they should also advise you of the best solution that fits your specific needs and budget.

Installing a new roof can instantly transform your home or business and add value to your home. Don't let just anyone tackle this important job that can dramatically impact the curb appeal of your property, and more importantly diminish the most important layer of protection for your property! Your roof is a critical component of your home's structure and it is critical that you hire a roofing expert to tackle this important repair!

Always take time and do your research when searching for local roofing contractors to replace you roof! A little time invested will pay off greatly in ensuring that you actually receive a quality roofing product installed at a fair price!

Knowing common roofing terminology will enable you as a homeowner to make an informed decision about roofing materials that are good matches for your home's style and the region in which you live. It will also help you understand the contract with your roofing professional and the project updates.
Some key roofing terms are listed below:

Asphalt: A waterproofing agent applied to roofing materials during manufacturing.

Asphalt plastic roofing cement: An asphalt-based sealant used to bond roofing materials. Known as flashing cement, roof tar, bull or mastic.

Back surfacing: Granular material applied to the back side of shingles to keep them from sticking during delivery and storage.

Base flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to or resting on the deck to direct the flow of water onto the roof.

Built-up roof: Multiple layers of asphalt and ply sheets bonded together.

Butt edge: The bottom edge of the shingle tabs.

Caulk: To fill a joint to prevent leaks.

Closed valley: The valley flashing is covered by shingles.

Coating: A layer of viscous asphalt applied to the outer roof surface to protect the roof membrane.

Collar: Pre-formed flange placed over a vent pipe to seal the roof around the vent pipe opening. Also called a vent sleeve.

Concealed nail method: Application of roll roofing in which all nails are covered by a cemented, overlapping course.

Counter flashing: That portion of the flashing attached to a vertical surface above the plane of the roof to prevent water from migrating behind the base flashing.

Course: Row of shingles that can run horizontally, diagonally or vertically.

Cricket: A peaked water diverter installed at the back of a chimney to prevent accumulation of snow and ice and to deflect water.

Deck: The top surface of which a roof system is applied, surface installed over the supporting framing members.

Double coverage: Asphalt roofing whose lapped portion is at least two inches wider than the exposed portion, resulting in two layers of roofing material over the deck.

Downspout: A pipe for draining water from roof gutters to drain. Also called a leader.

Drip edge: L-shaped flashing used along the eaves and rakes to allow water run-off into the gutters and to drip clear of underlying construction.

Eave: The part of the roof that overhangs or extends outward and is not directly over the exterior walls or the buildings interior.

Exposed nail method: Application of roll roofing where nails are driven into the overlapping course of roofing. Nails are exposed to the elements.

Fascia: A wood trim board used to hide the cut ends of the roof's rafters and sheathing.

Felt: Fibrous material used as an underlayment or sheathing paper, describes roll roofing materials.

Flashing: Pieces of metal or roll roofing used to form water seal around vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys.

Gable: The end of an exterior wall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof.

Granules: Ceramic-coated and fired crushed rock that is applied as the top surface of asphalt roofing products.

Gutter: The trough that channels water from the eaves to the downspouts. Usually attached to the fascia.

Head lap: An overlapping of shingles or roofing felt at their upper edge.

Hip: The fold or vertical ridge formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Runs from the ridge to the eaves.

Ice dam: Condition forming water back-up at the eave areas by the thawing and re-freezing of melted snow on the overhang. Can force water under shingles, causing leaks.

Interlocking shingles: Individual shingles that mechanically fasten to each other to provide wind resistance.

Laminated shingles: Strip shingles made of two separate pieces laminated together to create extra thickness. Also called architectural and three-dimensional shingles.

Lap: Surface where one shingle or roll overlaps with another during the application process.

Mansard roof: A design with a nearly vertical roof plane connected to a roof plane of less slope at its peak. Contains no gables.

Mineral stabilizers: Finely ground limestone, slate, traprock or other inert materials added to asphalt coatings for durability and increased resistance to fire and weathering.

Nesting: A method of reroofing, installing a second layer of new asphalt shingles, in which the top edge of the new shingle is butted against the bottom edge of the existing shingle tab.

Pitch: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in feet, to the span, in feet.

Low Slope - Roof pitches that are less than 30 degrees.

Normal Slope - Roof pitches that are between 30 and 45 degrees.

Steep Slope - Roof pitches that are more than 45 degrees.

Rafter: The supporting framing that makes up the roof structure; immediately beneath the deck; the roof sheathing is nailed to the rafters.

Rake: The inclined edge of a sloped roof over a wall from the eave to the ridge. They can be close or extended.

Ridge: The horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping sides of a roof at the highest point of the dormer, roof or hip.

Run: The horizontal distance between the eaves and a point directly under the ridge; or one half the span.

Selvage: That portion of roll roofing overlapped by the application of the roof covering to obtain double coverage.

Sheathing: Exterior grade boards used as a roof deck material.

Shed roof: A single roof plane with no hips, valleys, gables or ridges, not connected to any other roofs.

Slope: The degree of roof incline expressed as the ratio of the rise, in inches, to the run, in feet.

Smooth-surfaced roofing: Roll roofing that is covered with ground talc or mica instead of granules (coated).

Soffit: The finished underside of the eaves that extends from the fascia to the siding and hides the bottom of an overhang.

Soil stack: A vent pipe that penetrates the roof.

Span: The horizontal distance from read more eaves to eaves.

Specialty eaves flashing membrane: A self-adhering, waterproofing shingle underlayment designed to protect against water infiltration due to ice dams or wind driven rain.

Starter strip: Asphalt roofing applied at the eaves as the first course of shingles installed.

Tab: The weather exposed surface of strip shingles between the cutouts.

Telegraphing: Shingles installed over an uneven surface that show distortion.

Truss - A combination of ties, beams and bars, usually in triangular units to form a framework for support in wide span roof construction.

UL label: Label displayed on packaging to indicate the level of fire and/or wind resistance of asphalt roofing.

Underlayment: A layer of asphalt based rolled materials installed under main roofing material before shingles are installed to provide additional protection for the deck.

Valley: The internal angle formed by the intersection of two inclined roof surfaces to provide water runoff.

Vapor barrier/retarder: Any material that prevents the passage of water or water vapor through it.

Vent: Any device installed on the roof as an outlet for air to ventilate the underside of the roof deck.

If you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof. If your roof is being replaced as part of an insurance claim we never collect any money until the roof is actually installed. If you are interested in installing a metal shake tile roof, ask the roofer if they have actually installed a metal shake tile roof and not just a metal roof. The same applies for heavy designer shingles, TPO roofs, slate roofs, tile roofs, or any other type of roof.

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